McCullum’s double ton earns Kiwis comfortable draw in Hyderabad Test

HYDERABAD - New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum scored a career best maiden double century on the fifth and final day of the second Test at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium to ensure a morale-boosting draw against hosts India.

McCullum, who opened only for the second time in his Test career scored a brilliant 225, milking a tired Indian bowling unit to become only the second New Zealander to post a double ton on Indian soil, after Bert Sutcliffe’s 230 in Delhi way back in 1955

New Zealand set an unachievable target of 326 in 30 overs after declaring their second at 448 for eight at tea, with an overall lead of 326 runs.

India were 68 for no loss, with Sehwag on 54 and Gambhir on 14, when stumps were drawn for the match ended in a tame draw between the two rivals for the second time in the series.

Sehwag, however, produced an entertaining innings in the company of Gambhir, before the two captains agreed to call play off.

The two teams now head to Nagpur for the third and final Test starting on Saturday, with everything to play for.

The draw against the world’s No 1 ranked Test team, has given the Kiwis a huge fillip, and comes after the humiliating ODI series loss against Bangladesh, that had set alarm bells ringing in New Zealand cricket.

Speaking after the match, both captains were hopeful of winning the final test at Nagpur.

McCullum was named Man of the Match for his scintillating double ton.

Brief Score:

New Zealand: 350 and 448/8 declared

India: 472 and 68/0 in 17 overs. (ANI)